React Realtime: From Sockets to Streams (Web & Native)

Key technologies for real-time data in React apps include WebSockets, WebRTC, and WebTransport. WebSockets maintain a persistent connection to a server, WebRTC enables peer-to-peer communication, and WebTransport offers lower latency and better performance over HTTP 3.0.

WebSocket communication in React apps begins with an HTTP request for a handshake between the client and server, establishing a persistent bidirectional connection. Events like onOpen, onMessage, and onClose handle connection status and data exchange.

Real-time data is crucial for modern applications because users expect instant feedback and updates. This enhances user experience in scenarios like chat applications, stock price updates, and live feeds, where delayed information can lead to a poor user experience.

Developers face challenges like network drops, mobile Wi-Fi or 5G switches, and background app pauses, which can affect real-time data reliability and battery life. Implementing strategies like auto-reconnect and handling app lifecycle events can mitigate these issues.

WebTransport, built on QUIC and HTTP 3.0, offers advantages like lower latency, built-in multiplexing, and better congestion control. It allows multiple independent streams without blocking each other, providing better performance over flaky networks.

Signaling in WebRTC involves a central server facilitating the discovery phase where peers exchange networking info and media details. This process helps peers find each other and establish a direct, encrypted connection for data exchange.

STUN and TURN servers assist WebRTC in dealing with home routers and office firewalls by helping browsers find a direct, public path to each other, enabling peer-to-peer communication.

React Native apps can implement WebRTC using the React Native WebRTC library, which provides a polyfill for native APIs. This allows code sharing between React and React Native, enabling peer-to-peer communication and media streaming.

Understanding real-time data foundations is important because it equips developers with tools to create connected experiences across different platforms, ensuring reliable and efficient data exchange in modern applications.

WebSockets are used for client-server communication, suitable for chat, notifications, and live dashboards. WebRTC enables peer-to-peer connectivity, ideal for streaming audio, video, and real-time multiplayer games. WebRTC requires handling signaling and media streams.